R. Eleshev et al.
97
Application of Fertilizers and Change of
Enzymatic Activity of Soils
R. Eleshev1, Z. Bakenova1∗, E. Krzywy2
1
2
Kazakh National Agrarian University, Kazakhstan, Abay av. 8, Almaty. Kazakhstan
West-Pomorsky Technological University, ul. J. Slowackiego 17, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland
Abstract
As a result of experimental research it has been found that piedmont irrigated chestnut soils of Zailiyskiy
Alatau in natural conditions are characterized by moderate activity of hydrolytic and redox enzymes.
Crop rotation raises hydrolytic activity of enzymes’ groups (invertase, urease, ATPase) by 30% in
comparison with monoculture, but at the same time it does not have a significant impact on change of biological
activity of redox enzymes (catalase, dehydrogenase).
Hydrolytic activity of soils is activated to a greater extent in crop rotation, by monoculture and background of
organic system of fertilizers. Therewith, mineral systems of fertilizers don’t inhibit activity of hydrolytic and
redox enzymes under recommended norms.
Increment of hydrolytic activity of soils has a direct impact on level of yield capacity of oilseed flax.
Thereupon, indices of hydrolytic activity of soils can be used as a test for diagnosis of efficiency of fertilizers
systems both within crop rotation and by monoculture.
Introduction
In order to provide rich and high quality harvest
of different crops, the most important condition is a
development of implementation use of complex
agrotechnical techniques, fertilizers application
systems, including usage of optimal doses of
mineral and organic fertilizers [1-2].
It has been found that soil enzymes while
participating in the most important biological
cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and
other organogenic elements, determine a way of
soil formation, level of fertility of the soil and, thus,
directly impact yield capacity of crops [3-5].
The application of large doses of fertilizers,
especially during the watering, may in some cases
have a negative impact on biological activity of
soils, particularly, over enzymatic activity thereof
and, thus, adversely affect productivity of crops [67].
_________________________
*corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
© 2012 al-Farabi Kazakh National University
The research on this problem concerning soils of
our country is quite limited, whereas published data
on soils of other countries can not be compared or
used in connection with soils of Kazakhstan [8-10].
Considering the above mentioned research of
different fertilizers systems impact over soils yield
capacity and fertility within crop rotation and by
monoculture as related to the direction of change of
biological activity indices is an urgent problem for
soil-science and agricultural chemistry being of
interest not only for Kazakhstan but also abroad
[11-13].
Materials and methods
Stationary experiments of the department “Soil
Science, agricultural chemistry and ecology” of
Kazakh National Agrarian University, which were
first initiated by R.E. Eleshev in 2001 have been the
objects of the current research. The tests were
devoted to four-field crop rotation and monoculture
in order to investigate impact of organic, organic
and mineral and mineral fertilizers systems on
biological activity of soils and productivity of oilbearing crops.
Printed in Kazakhstan
98
Application of Fertilizers and Change of Enzymatic Activity of Soils
Four-field crop rotation can be presented in time
and space in the following cycle of cultures: 1 –
barley; 2 – flax; 3 – mustard; 4 – castor-oil plant.
Fertilizers for oil-bearing crops in conformity
with crop rotation and by monoculture of oilseed
flax were studied according to the following
variants: 1 – Control (without fertilization); 2 –
Estimated dose N75Р70K45; 3 – Manure, 30 t/ha; 4 –
½ Manure + ½ NРК; 5 – Biohumus, 3 t/ha; 6 –
Straw, 5 t/ha.
Soil of experimental ground was piedmontchestnut. Eight (8) cutaway sections were located on
typical chestnut soils, their morphological
characteristics were described resulting in choice of
sample soils by genetic horizons. In addition,
individual samples for statistical data processing
were taken out of heeling. In course of stationary
experiments soil samples from depth 0-20, 20-40
cm. at the end of crop rotation and by monoculture
have been subject matter of analysis.
Agrochemical indices of soils were determined
via application of common methods (Agrochemical
research of soils, 1975). Content of humus in
plough-layer constitutes 4.38% and decreases
gradually with the depth up to 1.66%, рН – 7.7-8.0,
total absorbed bases – 13.6 meq. per 100 g., СО2
(carbonates) – 5.8%. Content of total nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium is 0.258, 0.211 and
2.85%, respectively. Provision with easily
hydrolysable nitrogen is medium, with fluent
phosphorus- low and with potassium is mediumhigh.
We have also studied the activity of two (2)
groups of enzymes: hydrolytic (invertase, ATPase,
phosphatase) and redox enzymes (catalase,
dehydrogenase). Determination of enzymes activity
and intensity of soil “breathing” were carried out
via Galstyan's methods [14].
In order to establish connection between
biological activity and yield capacity, long term
annual average experimental data on flax within
crop rotation and by monoculture were used.
Harvest record in experiments was carried out
manually, taking into consideration each allotment
and fourfold replication.
Mathematical data processing of yield capacity
by crop rotation, monoculture and correlated
regression analysis of enzymes were conducted via
methods of Fisher, J. Tukey, etc.
Results and discussion
Analysis of natural biological condition of
chestnut soil under research by genetic horizons has
showed that they have moderate activity of
hydrolytic (invertase, urease, ATPase, phosphatase),
redox (catalase, dehydrogenase) enzymes and the
intensity of the “breathing” (Table 1).
Table 1
The enzymatic activity of the irrigated chestnut soils by genetic horizons (input data)
Horizon
Layer of soil, sm.
Humus, %
СО2,%
Total nitrogen, %
Fractions<0,001, mm.
Fractions<0,01, mm.
рН Н2О
Invertase, mg. Glucose per 1 g.
Phosphatase, mg Р per 100g.
Ureasa, mg. NH3 per 1 g.
ATPase, mg. Р per 100 g.
Dehydrogenase, mg. TFF per 10 g.
Catalase cm3 О3 per 1 g.
А arable
В1
В2
ВС
0-25
4.38
5.80
0.258
19.65
46.71
8.0
18.9
4.23
2.87
4.53
5.4
9.7
25-46
4.47
5.84
0.248
20.19
46.95
8.1
9.6
2,36
2.55
1.25
2.6
8.7
46-58
3.05
5.88
0.214
15.43
49.38
8.2
3.3
1.6
1.27
0.26
0.4
6.2
58-76
1.66
7.30
0.117
26.23
55.27
8.3
2.0
1.22
0
0.13
0
5.0
Eurasian ChemTech Journal 14 (2012) 97-101
R. Eleshev et al.
The last one apparently relates to the peculiarity
of natural climate conditions of soil formation and
relatively low level of potential fertility of soils
under research because of energetic decay of organic
matter due to low humidity and high temperature.
The contents of all groups of enzymes (in
particular, hydrolases) are dependent to a greater
extent from the content of humus.
Thus, the invertase activity in the upper humus
horizon is 18.9 mg. of glucose per 1 g. of soil, with
a correlation coefficient of 80.2%, if the amount of
invertase is changed by 1, the percentage of humus
will be increased by 0.136.
The interrelation between invertase and the
content of humus is expressed by the following
regression equation:
Y = 2.241 + 0,136х
(1)
Determination coefficient is 64.3%, i.e. change
of the content of humus to 64.3% is related to
invertase activity.
Phosphatase activity of chestnut soils - 4.23 mg.
P per 100 g. of soil. The correlation coefficient is
76.8%, which also shows the close interrelation
with the content of humus and is expressed by the
following regression equation:
Y = 1.165 + 0,760х
(2)
Urease activity in the humus-accumulative
horizon is 2.87 mg. NH3 per 1 g. of soil, its activity
is completely suppressed deeper than 40 cm. of
layer due to low biogenity and low supply of
nitrogen to soils.
The close interrelation between urease and the
content of humus is expressed by the following
regression equation (3), with correlation coefficient
99.1% and determination coefficient 98.2%:
Y = 1.51 + 1,000х
(3)
The dependence of the ATPase on the humus is
expressed by the following regression equation (4),
with correlation coefficient 67.7% and
determination coefficient 45.8%:
Y = 2.405 + 0,436х
(4)
Dehydrogenases being an aggregate indicator of
microbial activity in soil and in soil under research
are less active. Their activity is also closely related
to the content of humus and is expressed by the
following regression equation (5) with correlation
coefficient 81.5% and determination coefficient
66.4%:
Y = 2.031+ 0.435х
(5)
99
We have analyzed the dependence of the
catalase on content of humus, with correlation
coefficient 95.5% and determination coefficient
91.2%, and such dependence is expressed by the
following regression equation (6):
Y = - 1.26 + 0.581х
(6)
The level of enzyme activity and inactivation of
soil enzymes also depend on the mechanical
structure. That is more obvious when comparing
the distribution data of silty and fine dust fractions
by genetic horizons and biological activity
(invertase, urease, ATPase, phosphatase).
Observed regularities correlate with data of the
following researchers: Vasilenko Ye.S. (1962),
Geltser Ju.G. (1990), Tazabekova Ye.T. (1998),
while differ in relative and absolute values of
certain enzymes groups (Eleshev R.E., 2010).
The results of research conducted under
conditions of lasting stationary experiment have
shown that fertilizers and crop rotation have a
positive impact primarily on the activity of
hydrolytic enzymes, without significant effect on
change in the contents of groups of redox enzymes.
It was found that biological activity of
hydrolytic enzymes (invertase, urease, ATPase,
phosphatase) in fertilized flax by monoculture was
20-30% lower compared to the same in flax within
the crop rotation (Tables 2-3).
The last apparently relates to improved water,
air, soil nutrient regimes, as well as soils
enrichment with organic and organic and mineral
compounds in course of change of cycles within
crop rotation.
Different levels of hydrolytic activity of soils,
which are created within the background of fertilizers
systems in crop rotation and by monoculture, had
different impacts on the level of yield capacity of
oilseed flax. In turn, the degree of positive effect of
crop rotation becomes even more apparent through
the use of fertilizers.
Effects of fertilizers on biological activity of
soils within crop rotation and by monoculture are
not identical (Tables 2-3).
Within crop rotation (Table 2) a higher level of
activity of hydrolytic enzymes is observed on the
variants with the estimated quantities of fertilizers
and joint application of manure and mineral
fertilizers in the half-norms.
In the territory of flax monoculture (Table 3)
variants with organic fertilizers (particularly,
manure and biohumus) were more efficient in terms
of increasing activity of hydrolytic enzymes.
Eurasian ChemTech Journal 14 (2012) 97-101
Application of Fertilizers and Change of Enzymatic Activity of Soils
100
Table 2
Biological activity of chestnut soil under sowing of oilseed flax in crop rotation within
the background of the various fertilizers systems
2
3
Estimated dose
N75Р70K45
Manure, 30 t/ha
4
½ manure + ½ NРК
5
Biohumus, 3 t/ha
6
Straw, 5 t/ha
0-20
20-40
0-20
20-40
0-20
20-40
0-20
20-40
0-20
20-40
0-20
20-40
18.2
12.4
22.8
18
21.2
19.1
24.8
18.6
18.1
15.8
17.9
14
3.3
2.38
5.25
4.5
6.45
5.3
4.57
3.9
6.54
4.76
5.6
3.8
2.2
0.7
3.8
1.2
5.06
3.1
5.2
1.6
3.5
1.4
3.4
5.6
2.0
1.5
2.45
1.85
3.1
1.9
2.8
1.3
2.4
1.6
2.0
1.35
13.6
14.6
7.85
9.4
11.1
11.9
11.6
19.1
18.3
11.3
5.9
9.1
Yield capacity of
oilseed flax, c/ha
Catalase cm3 О3
per 1g. per 1
min.
Control
Dehydrogenase,
mg. TFF per
10g.
of soil
1
Layer of
soil. sm.
ATPase, mg.
Р per 100g.
Variant
Urease, mg.
NH3 per 1 g.
№
Invertase,
mg. glucose
Activity
15.9
21.9
20.2
21.2
19.4
17.6
Absolute value LSD 0,05
Relative value LSD 0,05
2.44
1.96
Table 3
Biological activity of chestnut soil by monoculture of oilseed flax within the background
of the various fertilizers systems (by the end of the 2-nd rotation)
3
Estimated dose
N75Р70К45
Manure, 30 t/ha
4
½ manure + ½ NРК
5
Biohumus, 3 t/ha
6
Straw, 5 t/ha
14.25
6.7
16.5
13
19.5
9.5
17
14
19
14.5
14.5
5.6
1.59
0.88
7.1
4.3
7.32
3.4
7.37
5.6
7.15
3.6
3.2
1.5
1.25
0.88
15.45
1.25
2.4
1.7
2.1
1.35
2.4
1.2
1.6
1.2
Absolute value LSD 0,05
Relative value LSD 0,05
11.7
17.4
26.5
16.4
11.2
14.2
14.8
18.1
14.3
13.2
13.5
15.4
24.5
22
21.7
20.4
36.4
26.4
24.9
18.1
28.6
24.1
24.3
17.6
Yield capacity of
oilseed flax c/ha
4.08
2.8
5.03
4.1
4.4
3.5
4.4
3.8
5.1
4.27
4.25
3.5
Breathing СО2
per 100g. of soil
2
0-20
20-40
0-20
20-40
0-20
20-40
0-20
20-40
0-20
20-40
0-20
20-40
Catalase cm3 О3
per 1g. per 1 min.
Control
Dehydrogenase,
mg. TFF per 10g.
of soil
1
Layer of
soil,
Sm.
ATPase, mg. Р
per 100g.
Variant
Urease, mg. NH3
per 1g.
№
Invertase,
mg. glucose
Activity
12.4
14.5
16.9
14.9
16.1
13.5
2.25
2.29
Eurasian ChemTech Journal 14 (2012) 97-101
R. Eleshev et al.
Within crop rotation, higher harvest of flax is
formed within the background of mineral (21.9
c/ha) and organic and mineral systems (21.2 c/ha).
In monoculture of flax, the highest harvest is
ensured via manure (16.9 t/ha) and biohumus (16.1
c/ha), i.e. within the organic system.
The observed interrelation between yield
capacity of flax and the level of hydrolytic activity
of soils allows using hydrolase enzymes as a
diagnostic test of efficiency of fertilizers systems in
irrigated agriculture.
3.
Conclusions
6.
1. Piedmont chestnut soils of Zailiyskiy Alatau are
characterized by moderate activity of hydrolytic
(invertase, urease, ATPase, phosphatase) and
redox enzymes (catalase, dehydrogenase).
Crop rotation and fertilizers increase activity of
hydrolase enzymes by 20-30% without significant
impact on the activation of groups of redox
enzymes.
2. The level of activation of hydrolytic enzymes
depends on the fertilizers systems. Within crop
rotation the higher level of hydrolytic enzymes
is ensured within the background of mineral and
organic systems, whereas in monoculture the
same result is ensured on variants with organic
fertilizers (manure, biohumus).
3. We have found the dependence of the harvest
flax formation on the level of hydrolase
enzymes. The highest harvest of flax in the crop
rotation fields was ensured by background
N75R70K45 (21.9 c/ha) and ½ manure + ½ NPK
manure (21.2 c/ha). In sowing of monoculture of
flax the higher harvest is formed within the
background of manure (16.9 c/ha) and biohumus
(16.1 c/ha), i.e. via organic systems.
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Eurasian ChemTech Journal 14 (2012) 97-101
Received 4 April 2011